Reflecting on Practice: Using Learning Journals in Higher and Continuing Education”

SUGGESTIONS FOR WRITING ORGANIZED PAPERS

-- All effective papers have 3 parts: an Introduction, a Body, and a Conclusion

--While the words, ‘Introduction’ and ‘Body,’ are not generally used as headings in an APA-style paper, ‘Conclusion’ or ‘Summary,’ [that is your conclusion or summary] is generally used as the end.

--The purpose and length of a paper will create variations of purpose and content. The following is an outline of the 3 Parts of an Effective and Organized Paper, with bolded notes, especially specific to an Article Critique.

A. INTRODUCTION--4 parts:

1. A Hook: beginning sentence[s] to grab the reader’s attention: like facts, statistics, or a quote

[ARTICLE CRITIQUE NOTE: Include the author’s name (date), full or brief version of the article title]

2. A Thesis/Point/Premise: clearly states the purpose/intention/ or premise that you: the writer are making about the article

[ARTICLE CRITIQUE NOTE: This statement is your overall analytical purpose or point about the article – what you intend to support in the body of the paper]: Something like: “The purpose of this critique is to examine or analyze [or another verb like this] Langer’s(2002) research on the use of learning journals….”.

3. A Map: sentence that briefly states the key points you plan to address in the Body: How you will support the point/intention you stated in the Introduction

[ARTICLE CRITIQUE NOTE: A map can identify briefly the 5 parts of a research article, and indicate that you plan to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each part. This creates an organizational map for you the writer and for the reader to follow in the body.]

4. A Transition: a phrase or sentence that leads the reader into the Body

B. BODY:

Contains somewhere between 2-5 points/arguments, usually each one with several paragraphs to support the purpose/intention stated in the Introduction

[ARTICLE CRITIQUE NOTE: Generally divided into the 5 sub headings that identify the 5 parts of a research article—see Sample, p.3]

--Each point or subheading requires a topic sentence at the start; each paragraph to follow also requires a topic sentence

[ARTICLE CRITIQUE NOTE: You will likely begin by identifying the part of the article: for example: “Langer (2002) clearly [or not?] states his research question and problem early in the article when he says…..”. Then you can continue with what you consider the major strengths and weaknesses in how Langer, for example, explains this first part, before moving on to part 2, which would be the literature review and/or theoretical framework]

--Specific examples are used to support the arguments you are making—like statistics, quotes, or paraphrasing from literature

[ARTICLE CRITIQUE NOTE: These are needed to support/substantiate your argument[s]; they generally come from the article itself—could be quotes or paraphrases or your detailed example[s]—see Citations in APA, Ch. 6]

--Transitional words or phrases from one paragraph to another create a logical flow of ideas and help the reader to follow your thinking: words like, “the second part;” or, “next;” or, “an excellent example of [whatever] is……”

[ARTICLE CRITIQUE NOTE: After discussing one strength of an article’s methodology, you might, for example, begin another paragraph something like: “Another strength of Langer’s (2002) data collection methods is …………………”

C. Conclusion: A paragraph or two with several purposes:

--Revisits your introductory purpose/intention: What did you start out to prove/accomplish in this critique?

--Recaps your key analytical arguments

[ARTICLE CRITIQUE NOTE: Generally in a critique, these would be an overview of the major strengths and weaknesses you have identified in the article]

--Restates the ‘hook’ OR….

[ARTICLE CRITIQUE NOTE: This can also be the place where you give your impressions of

other aspects of the article: What you found interesting or useful that was new; how the information might be useful to your research; what gaps you found or those the author mentioned in his discussion. These are suggestions, but you should also be guided by the Assignment Guidelines for any specific assignment]

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Sample: Structure of an Article Critique, Using 2 Levels of Headings

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Title of the Article Critique [centered, not bolded]

[Introduction]

Includes 4 parts: hook, purpose/intention, map, and transition in a paragraph or two—this sets your paper into ‘organized purpose’

[Body]

Begins with the first of 5 Level 2 Headings [Note: see APA, pgs. 62-63 for Levels of Headings—this model uses 2 levels].

Level 2 Heading [Part 1: The Research Question and/or Research Purpose]

Start the paragraph with a topic sentence that describes what the author has stated about this first part and then proceed to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of this part of the article, supporting your analysis by examples, statistics, paraphrases, or quotes from the article [See Citations, APA, Ch. 6]

Level 2 Heading [Part 2: Theoretical Foundation/Literature Review]

Do the same for part 2—that is, begin with a topic sentence that describes what the author has done with this part of the article—and then proceed to analyze the strengths and weaknesses, using examples, etc.

[Additional Level 2 Headings to cover Parts 3-5]

Conclusion [Level One—centered and bolded]

[Note: Your papers need a Title page, which is numbered as page 1 of your critique—and includes a running head. Your critique begins on page 2. See the sample title page on p. 41 of your APA Guide.